Goat barn layout
Learn how to design an efficient goat barn layout so you can make the most of your space. What areas should be included, what you can skip over, and how much room you need to raise your herd.
How to Raise dairy goats is easier when you have a barn that includes all the areas needed for your herd. Whether you are just designing or already have a barn, this guide will help you to set things up efficiently.
A well-planned goat barn can help raise a healthy, productive herd, making it easier to care for them day to day. It offers protection from harsh weather, ensures your goats stay comfortable and stress-free, and streamlines daily tasks like feeding, milking, and cleaning, saving time and effort.
The older I get, the more I realize how important it is to work smarter if I want to keep up with the physical side of raising livestock. That is why the layout of the barn matters. Not only is it good for my goats it is good for me as well.
How Much Room Do You Need in a Goat Barn?
The space requirements for your goat herd will depend on the number of goats you have and their breed. As a general rule, each adult dairy goat needs at least 10 square feet of housing space. This includes both indoor and outdoor areas.
So, for example, if you have a small herd of 5 dairy goats, you will need at least 50 square feet of space in your barn. You will also want to keep in mind the future growth of your herd when designing a layout. Leave some extra room for expansion or unexpected additions to your goat family.
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Essential Areas to Include
When you plan your goat barn layout, be sure to include areas for feeding, sleeping, milking, and spaces for storage. Each area plays a role in keeping your barn organized and your goats healthy.
Main Herd Pen
This is the main living space for your goats. It should have enough room for everyone to eat and sleep comfortably as well as space for them to move around and stretch their legs.
What to Include
The main pen will need an area for feeding hay, water buckets, minerals, and salt blocks. If you have room, beds or platforms can help your herd to rest and sleep more comfortably.
Size Requirements
Since there will be multiple goats in this area, you will want to be generous with the size and space. You will need at least 10 square feet of space for small breeds like Minis or Dwarfs and 15 square feet for larger breeds like Nubians or Boers.
Milking Area
If you plan on milking your goats, you will need a designated area for this task. This can be a separate room or just a section of the main pen that is divided off.
What to Include
The milking area should have enough space for one goat at a time and include all necessary equipment, such as a milk stand, hay feeder, or bucket for grain, room for you to sit and move around, as well as space for storage.
Size Requirements
For the size of the milking area, you will need at least 20-25 square feet per goat. This allows enough space to move around comfortably while leaving room for storage to hold milking equipment and cleaning supplies.
Sick/Birthing Pens
It’s important to have a designated area for sick or kidding goats that will allow them time away from the main herd. This will help prevent the spread of illness and provide a safe, quiet environment for new moms.
What to Include
The sick/birthing pens should include a clean space with bedding, fresh water, and a hay feeder.
Size Requirements
For the sick pen, you will need at least 8-10 square feet per goat. For the birthing pen, you will want at least 15-20 square feet to give the mom and her babies enough space without feeling cramped.
Kid Pen
If you plan on raising kids, it can be helpful to have a separate area for them to be in that is separate from the adult goats in the herd. This will help protect them from larger goats and allow them to grow and play in a safe environment.
A kid pen also gives the moms a break, allowing them time to rest while the kids play and socialize together.
What to Include
The kid pen should have enough space for the kids to run and play, an enclosed area for them to sleep that is warm, a water bucket, a hay feeder, and a small grain bucket.
If you have the space, you can add something for them to climb on, such as a bale of straw.
Size Requirements
For the kid pen, you will need at least 20 square feet per kid. This will give them enough room to move around and get exercise while keeping them separate from adult goats.
Feed Room
Having a designated area for your goat feed and supplements will help keep everything organized and away from your goats. This room can also be used to store other equipment, such as halters, lead ropes, hoof tools, and brushes.
What to Include
The feed room should have shelves or bins for storing different types of feed and supplements. It’s important to keep these items off the ground and sealed in containers to prevent rodents from getting into them.
Open shelves or cabinets are great for holding tools and other supplies. A dry-erase board is helpful for chores and feed instructions.
The room should also have a locking door to keep goats out and limit access to only those who need it.
Size Requirements
There are no size requirements for a feed room, just be sure it has a door that you can close securely to keep your goats away from any grain and supplies.
Hay Storage
If pasture isn’t available year-round, having a dry space in your barn to store hay is important. A well-stocked area for hay bales ensures you have enough feed on hand and makes winter feeding much easier.
What to Include
Your hay storage area should be dry, well-ventilated, and protected from the elements. It can be a separate building or a designated area in an existing barn or shed.
You can stack bales on pallets to keep them off the ground and allow for air circulation. Make sure to leave enough space between bales for ventilation.
Size Requirements
The amount of space needed for hay storage will depend on how many goats you have and how many bales you need for the winter.
Tools and Equipment
If you have the room, you will want a separate area for tools and equipment, such as bags of sawdust or bedding, a wheelbarrow, a shovel, a pitchfork, and other tools.
A designated space for storing tools and equipment can help keep your barn organized and make chores easier. Consider installing hooks or shelves to hang up tools and supplies.
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Size Requirements
The size of your tool and equipment area will depend on the amount of tools and supplies you have. Make sure there is enough room for everything to be easily accessible without cluttering the space. Overall, the size of your barn will ultimately determine how much room you have for each
Planning the Layout
When planning your barn’s layout, consider the traffic flow and how it will be used. You will want the main pens in an area that allows outside access and access to the pasture. How you do your layout will depend on the space you have available and how you see yourself doing chores each day.
Remember to keep things set up in a way that makes chores easier while keeping you safe.
Our Barn Layout
For our layout, we have two main pens on each side of our barn with separate stalls and a milk area in the middle.
Each main pen has an outside area that is fenced in, allowing our goats to get outside and into the fresh air. The larger main pen also has access to the outside pasture that we keep closed off during the off-season.
Tools are stored in the front of the barn, which is easy to access for cleaning any area in the barn. Finally, our feed room is in the back of the barn with a locking gate and a separate door to the outside.
This layout works well and keeps our small barn efficient and able to hold a good-sized herd of large breed goats.
A well-organized barn is important for keeping your goats healthy and safe. Including areas like a feed room, hay storage, milking parlor, kidding area, and space for bedding storage ensures you have everything you need in one organized space.
With a bit of planning, you can create a functional barn that supports your goats’ healthy and makes daily chores easier for you.
